William Don Smith January 30, 1949 – August 31, 2024 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Dubach, Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 1:00 pm Service: First Baptist Church, Dubach, Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 2:00 pm Cemetery: Hamilton Cemetery, Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Martha J. Montgomery Thursday 10/28/1954 –Tuesday 08/27/2024 Graveside: Saturday 09/07/2024 11:00am, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Leroy Broom April 11, 1945 – August 30, 2024 Visitation: Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Graveside Service, Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 11:00 AM, Hebron Cemetery, Hwy 126 & Floyd Johnston Road, Sikes
Ruston High earned nine first place votes in the first released poll of the 2024 season. Acadiana, ranked third with two first place votes, comes to James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium Friday night in what will be billed as a marquee matchup for high school football in Louisiana.
(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).
_________________________________________________
Name: Andrew Halbrook
Age: 34
Employer: City of Ruston
Title: Public Works Utilities Manager
Hometown: Ruston, Louisiana
Years Living in Ruston: 28
Civic Volunteer Organizations: First Baptist Church of Ruston, Ruston Youth Baseball and Softball
Professional Highlights: Being a part of the team that started and expanded the Rock Island Greenway; writing, lobbying, being awarded, and ultimately completing the $17.2 Million BUILD Grant for the Monroe Street Corridor; maintaining the lowest utility rates throughout the State of Louisiana; completing the largest phase of Downtown Revitalization, doubling the number of revitalized blocks throughout Downtown Ruston; and being on a team that has brought in over $80+ Million in grants and appropriations over the past 6 years.
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker on Andrew Halbrook:
“Andrew is a great asset to our city who is willing to take on new jobs and projects. He is passionate about Ruston and is always looking for ways to improve our city. He started in public works and has continued to move up as he has taken on more responsibilities and other duties. Andrew continues to grow in his job and move our great city forward.”
Q&A with Andrew Halbrook
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
Places like Lincoln Parish are few and far between. It is extremely rare to find a community with so much small-town charm, enthusiasm, yet untapped potential. I believe Lincoln Parish possesses the perfect balance between leadership and an innovative spirit. To me these attributes have created a gravitational pull that surrounds Ruston and Lincoln Parish, and that attraction is only getting stronger. We see that through the growth and innovation on the campuses of Louisiana Tech and Grambling State University, the Fortune 500 companies that have grown from Lincoln Parish and new ones wanting to invest here, the thriving small business community, and the continued development in all parts of our community. There is nothing you cannot accomplish from Lincoln Parish.
How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?
Throughout my career with the City of Ruston I have focused on making our community the best place to raise a family. I have tried to view every opportunity through the lens of my role as a husband and father to ensure the projects that are completed create new opportunities for the future generations. Regardless of whether the project focuses on economic development, transportation enhancements, or utility resilience I always work to ensure the investments we are making today will provide greater and more impactful returns to the generations to come.
Who has played a role in your professional development and why?
There are numerous individuals who have contributed to my professional development over my career, however three rise above all others. My father, Andy Halbrook, taught me the importance of working hard and remaining dedicated to my goals, my family, and my values. Next would be Mayor Ronny Walker. Mayor Walker provided me an opportunity 9.5 years ago to come back to my hometown and help buildout his vision of Ruston. He has influenced my ability to be a forward thinker and to make the most of every opportunity. The last would be my late grandfather David Halbrook, “Big Daddy”. He was the embodiment of a Statesman. He lived his life putting the public first with diplomacy and integrity and instilled in me to always do the right thing. These men have given me the tools to be successful. I look forward to carrying on their traditions of dedication, excellence, and integrity.
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An inmate being held at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center was charged with tampering with a surveillance camera, according to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s office.
OMarie B. McHenry IV, 22, of Ruston, allegedly used paper soaked in water to render a surveillance camera inoperable.
An affidavit by a deputy assigned to the detention center noted McHenry was an inmate being held for the Louisiana Department of Corrections on a charge of armed robbery.
The affidavit stated McHenry put some paper in water and then threw it at a camera in his housing unit, rendering it inoperable and preventing staff in the control room from seeing into the unit. McHenry had also been kicking on the door demanding to be moved into another housing unit.
Deputies entered the unit and told the inmates to get on their knees. McHenry refused to do so and eventually he was tased in order to take him into custody. McHenry was moved to a holding cell pending disciplinary action.
McHenry was booked on an additional charge of tampering with surveillance or monitoring systems. His bail was set at $1,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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On Sunday, September 1, 2024, shortly before 12:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 146 east of LA Hwy 145. The crash claimed the life of 54-year-old Sherman Dotson of Ruston.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Dotson was driving east on LA Hwy 146 in a 2007 Honda Pilot. For reasons still under investigation, the Honda ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree.
Dotson, who was unrestrained, was ejected and suffered severe injuries. He was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries and died. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Nearly half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by impaired drivers. Alcohol and other drugs affect your visual ability, fine motor skills, and reaction times. Drivers should have a plan for a safe ride home before consuming any alcohol and/or drugs because if you feel different, you drive different.
Additionally, taking just three seconds to buckle up can greatly increase your chances of surviving a crash. It is important for drivers to make sure that both themselves and their passengers are safely secured in every seat, whether it be day or night.
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Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title.
Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a “general holiday for the laboring classes” to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”
But Peter McGuire’s place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.
Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that “the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday.” Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades and parties – festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that the day should be observed with – a street parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day.
Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.
MONROE, La. — Never discount the potential for crazy when Ruston and Neville line up on the gridiron, even in a scrimmage.
In a game that saw two defensive touchdowns in the first three minutes, an overturned fumble in the second half, and a kickoff return for a touchdown, it was quite a night for all of the onlookers at Malone Stadium at the 2024 Bayou Jamb.
But fans were given a real treat by Ruston High senior cornerback Aidan Anding, who registered two interceptions (one returned for a score) and a critical kickoff return in the second period to put Ruston back on top at the end of the wild night by a final score of 20-15.
“It was a pretty crazy night,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Whenever we get together with Neville, you don’t expect anything different than that. We made a lot of mistakes tonight, and we’ve got a lot of things we need to get corrected and we have a short time to do it before Friday night.”
Anding wasted no time putting Ruston on the scoreboard in under 60 seconds with a pick-six from 24 yards out. Anding timed the slant route perfectly and intercepted Tiger sophomore quarterback Parker Robinson and entered the end zone nearly untouched. Senior kicker Jack Elliott kicked a perfect point-after and gave Ruston a 7-0 lead with 11:12 to go in the first half.
His performance was made even more special after losing his grandfather a little over a week ago.
“I thought Aidan was great,” Baugh said. “He does everything we ask him to do, and we obviously ask him to do a lot of things. He wants to be that guy that does what he’s asked. Aidan had a really tough week — I was very proud for him.”
Ruston High’s defense then held Neville’s offense to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, with Anding returning the punt 30 yards to set the Bearcat offense up inside the red zone for their first drive of the night. Senior running back Jordan Hayes, however, would cough the football up on the nine-yard line and Neville would capitalize with a scoop-and-score of 91 yards by Tiger defensive lineman Jayson Parker with 9:33 in the first to tie the game 7-7.
Ruston’s next drive would stall out with Bearcat senior quarterback Josh Brantley getting sacked for a loss of nine yards on 3rd and 9 after getting the ball back to the Neville side of the field. The Bearcat defense, however, would hold for another Neville three-and-out.
The Bearcats’ last drive of the first half began on the Neville 48-yard line, and Brantley started the series with a 20-yard gain up the near sideline. He would bookend the drive with rushes as he got in for the score on a quarterback sneak inside the one-yard line with 34 seconds to go in the first half, putting Ruston up 14-7 at halftime following another Elliott PAT.
A stingy Bearcat defense kept Neville from getting a first down in the entire first half.
The Bearcats received the ball to start the second half, but a busted sweep appeared to put the ball on the turf for Neville’s Jakobie Collins to return to the Bearcat five yard-line. After the Tigers lined up for the play, the officials overturned the call and gave the football back to Ruston. Neville head coach Mike Collins would be called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty two plays later to keep the drive going for the Bearcats. The Tiger defense would stop Ruston on 4th-and-2 to get the ball back with 8:34 to play.
Neville would finally get a first down on a 27-yard quarterback scramble by Robinson, but Anding would get his second interception of the night on the ensuing pass. The Tigers only tallied three first downs on the night.
Despite another long rush by Hayes, Ruston would give great field position back to Neville after a high snap over the punter’s head. Senior Zander Hayes for the Bearcats, however, would sack Robinson for an 11-yard loss and help Ruston’s defense get to a fourth down. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, Robinson would then find senior running back Jaylon Nichols on a wheel-route for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Neville would then convert the two-point conversion on a pass to Nichols in the flats to take a 15-14 lead.
Following another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Neville, Anding would return the kickoff 72 yards to put Ruston back ahead 20-15, though the point-after hit off the right upright. It would be enough for the Bearcats to get the win.
“Our guys, you know, they just really scrapped,” Baugh said in conclusion. “They know how to win ballgames. We found a way tonight. Regardless of how many mistakes we made leading up to the end, we found a way to come out on top. And the best teams do that.”
Hayes would lead all rushers on the night with 77 total yards. Ruston High ended the night with 134 total rushing yards between Hayes, Brookes, Brantley and junior fullback Lander Smith.
Ruston opens the regular season Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at home against Acadiana. The game will be broadcast on the Bearcat Nation Network and Q94.1.
WRY GRIN: Sam Burns reacts after dropping a 24-foot birdie putt Sunday on the 16th hole in the Tour Championship at East Lake Country Club in Atlanta after his approach shot struck the cup on the fly.
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Sam Burns didn’t have a Sunday charge this time, but the Choudrant resident earned a million-dollar paycheck with a 12th place finish at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
The event at East Lake Country Club wrapped up the PGA Tour’s 2024 season but not the golf calendar. Tuesday, the Presidents Cup captains, Jim Furyk of the Unted States and Canada’s Mike Weir leading the International team, will announce their six picks to round out the 12-man rosters for the Sept. 26-29 competition at Royal Montreal Golf Club.
Burns, the Shreveport native and Calvary Baptist graduate, is widely expected to be on Furyk’s list. He tied for second a week earlier at the BMW Championship after a tie for fifth two weeks ago at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, posting strong final rounds each time.
The two-time LSU All-American didn’t have a satisfying finish Sunday, carding a 1-over 70 with four birdies and three bogeys to post 15-under, including the bonus start of 4-under that he earned with his ninth-place standing in the FedEx Cups points system.
Burns shot an opening-round 67, with five back-side birdies, and followed up with two rounds of 68, posting five birdies on the back nine Saturday. He was 12-under on the final nine holes through the first three rounds but managed only even-par 36 Sunday.
The 28-year-old did have one of the day’s most memorable shots. His 146-yard approach to the par-4 16th hit the back right side of the cup on the fly, slightly damaging it, but the ball deflected back 24 feet. Burns, who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, buried the putt for his final birdie.
Scottie Scheffler was the Tour Championship winner, capturing the $25 million top prize.
Tour Championship purse money does not count in the PGA Tour’s official totals. Burns has earned $6.2 million officially in 2024.
His season included eight Top 10 finishes and 12 Top 25s in 21 events, including the Tour Championship.
Burns played on the winning USA Team in the 2022 Presidents Cup and was on the losing side for the USA last September at the Ryder Cup.
The Circle, a program of the Northern Louisiana Medical Center, is hosting a Mardi Gras Anniversary Party on Sept. 5 at the Ruston Civic Center.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and entry fee is $5.
The Circle is our program for individuals age 50 or better who are interested in pursuing an active lifestyle, learning about health and wellness, and meeting others.
Their events and activities are designed to help you stay healthy, vibrant and active. They encourage participants to pursue the things you love, try new hobbies and interests, and meet new friends.
The Mardi Gras Anniversary Party will include activity booths, door prizes, entertainment provided by “Home Grown”, and lunch provided by L&L’s Catering.
Individuals can reserve their spot by calling 318-254-7515.
Nineteen years ago today, I was a day away from getting married.
Some little girls dream of wedding dresses and their Prince Charming; I was dreaming of fiction novels I would write (still waiting for those to come to fruition…) and playing with my Chihuahua, Che-che. As a high school student, I even contemplated not attending college (not sure my parents would have agreed with that, even had that been my decision). I haven’t ever been the person to have a five-year or a ten-year plan – which is probably why when I fell head over heels in love with Kyle and we planned a wedding in 11 months, I had no idea what to do.
Mind you, at this time, I didn’t have Pinterest or Instagram or any of the helpful tools brides have now (which also makes it way more intense for me, but thankfully, I’ve only done this wedding this once – when my girls get married will be a whole new adventure). My own parents had eloped, so it wasn’t like my mom had even ever planned a wedding.
So it made complete sense that at 10 a.m. the morning of my wedding day, I was racing in my Mustang 15 minutes to get to town because I forgot a wedding cake server.
I don’t know why it was such a big deal. I don’t know why my mom and I forgot to purchase one. Why couldn’t I use an ordinary cake server? Because it was my wedding day, and I just knew I had to have a fancy official wedding cake server, and four hours before saying, “I do,” no one was thinking too clearly anyway.
My dad went with me. I don’t remember him talking much, except to remind me that I wouldn’t be able to say my vows if I was in jail for speeding. He didn’t see what the fuss was all about. He would have used a normal cake server. He would have used his pocketknife, frankly, and wouldn’t have thought twice. He had eloped with my mother and offered me and Kyle cold hard cash in exchange for this wedding pomp and circumstance, but neither my mom nor I were hearing anything about it (Kyle probably would have taken the cash).
So while my brain is racing as fast as my car, my dad is just calmly sitting in the passenger seat as I go to town, thankfully find a wedding server (naturally, it wasn’t my favorite, but it was a fancy one), and then race back to my house.
And on our way back, he just calmly states, “You know, you could have taken the money, and you could be on a beach in Hawaii and I could be mowing the lawn, and we both could be happy.”
Now why’s he gotta choose violence at that moment?
At any rate, the marriage took place without incident (other than the Superman reveal, but I’ll save that story for another column), and we started our lives together as Mr. And Mrs. Kyle Roberts – five days after Hurricane Katrina, just a few months after our graduations from Louisiana Tech, and not knowing at all what the future would hold.
The future has held a lot in the last 19 years, good and bad, and I can tell you one thing: all the beauty of my wedding dress, all the fun of the wedding party and the gifts and the music and the flowers – none of it has held a candle to the life we’ve created together.
Oh, and the cake server? Couldn’t tell you where it disappeared to if my life depended on it.
Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Monday, September 2 Labor Day 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) Wednesday, Sept. 4 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, Sept. 5 Louisiana Tech fall quarter begins 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Welcome Week (Campus, Quad) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) Friday, Sept. 6 7 p.m.: Ruston High football game Saturday, Sept. 7 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 6 p.m.: GSU football
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BATON ROUGE, La. – For the fourth year in a row, Louisiana will parade across the national and international stages in the Tournament of Roses® Parade in Pasadena, California. The 2025 parade theme is “Best Day Ever!” The 2025 Louisiana Rose Parade® float features a Louisiana alligator adorned with beads, carrying on its back a Cajun dance hall and pots of boiled seafood.
“In Louisiana, when we think of the ‘Best Day Ever’ we think of a Louisiana Saturday night. Good music, good food, good friends, and a celebration. This float represents everything that makes every day in Louisiana the best day ever,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
Louisiana will provide the mid-parade entertainment again in 2025, featuring rising country artist Timothy Wayne performing “Louisiana Saturday Night.” Wayne is currently touring with his uncle, Louisiana native Tim McGraw, and Carley Pearce on the Standing Room Only Tour. He signed with UMG Nashville earlier this year and is working on his first studio album before returning to LSU in the fall for his junior year of college.
The Louisiana Office of Tourism has sponsored a float in the Rose Parade each year since 2022. The state’s participation has reached billions of viewers and generated well over $40 million in earned media coverage.
“Each year Louisiana has had a float in the Rose Parade we’ve stolen the show. We’ve won an award each year. No one does a parade like Louisiana. Our celebratory spirit and unique culture always stand out at the Rose Parade,” said Lt. Governor Nungesser. “We’re excited to be back and can’t wait to continue to shine a spotlight on what makes Louisiana so special and all the ways you can Feed Your Soul.”
In 2022, Louisiana’s float won the Wrigley Legacy Award for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment. In 2023 and 2024, the Louisiana float won the Showmanship Award for most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment.
The 136th Rose Parade presented by Honda will roll January 1, 2025, and broadcast live all over the world at 8:00 a.m. PST/10 a.m. CST through Rose Parade broadcast partners, including ABC, NBC and streaming partners, including Pluto TV and FuboTV.
Tech’s Jessie Evans said good night to the Colonels after a fourth quarter sack sealed the Bulldogs win. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
By Malcolm Butler
Defending Southland Conference champion Nicholls State ran into a nightmare on Saturday night.
The Louisiana Tech defense.
A much-maligned unit a year ago, the Bulldogs D put a sleeper hold on the Colonels prolific run-heavy offensive unit which helped lead Nicholls State to a postseason appearance in 2023.
And ultimately it led Tech to a 25-17 win at Joe Aillet Stadium.
“I didn’t think we were very good offensively or on special teams tonight,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “But our defense bailed us out. And that’s what we told the guys in the locker room. Good teams pick each other up and our defense picked us up tonight.”
It was a Fields day so-to-speak.
Kolbe Fields that is.
The transfer linebacker who had to sit out all of last year made his Bulldog debut in style, recording 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. And he made an immediate impact.
On the first Nicholls State offensive play from scrimmage in the game, Fields teamed up with David Blay to tackle Colonels all-everything tailback Jaylon Spears in the end zone for an early safety.
It was just the start of a stellar night for Fields and the Tech defense.
“I woke up at five this morning, and I prayed and cried,” said Fields, who transferred from LSU. “I also thought about my people, and it wasn’t me out there, it was God.”
At the end of the night, it was the Nicholls State offense that was shedding some tears.
The Colonels managed just seven points and 200 total yards from its offense in the game, that TD coming late in the fourth quarter. Nicholls State was just 3-of-16 on third down conversions, only 1 of its last 14.
“It’s always a blessing to win, and you cannot take it for granted,” said Fields. “We have to do what we do week in and week out. We need to just improve and compete and keep going.”
After Tech took the early 2-0 lead on the safety, a pick-six by Nicholls defense lineman Rasheed Lovelace on an attempted screen pass by Jack Turner gave the Colonels their only lead of the game at 7-2.
Turner responded in style, hitting Solo Lewis for a 28-yard TD pass just over one minute later to give the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead. On Tech’s next offensive possession, Turner left with an apparent knee injury and did not return.
Red-shirt freshman Blake Baker replaced Turner and completed 12-of-24 passes for 207 yards and one TD while throwing two interceptions. Baker hit Marlion Jackson with a 14-yard TD pass during a monsoon midway through the second quarter to up Tech lead to 15-7.
“I thought Blake played well,” said Cumbie. “Obviously, ball protection was an issue for us tonight (with five turnovers). However, he made some plays and showed some composure.
“The effort was there from an offensive standpoint. But it was arguably one of the sloppiest games I have been apart of from an offensive and special teams standpoint.”
While the Bulldogs offense and special teams units were inconsistent, the Bulldog defense was not. Tech held Nicholls State to just 200 yards of offense while recording six sacks of Colonels starting QB Pat McQuaide.
“It is a good start and we need to continue to have numbers like that,” said Cumbie of the sacks. “J’Dan Burnett and Jessie Evans are good pass rushers. These guys can rush the passers. We are letting them play fast and they have an opportunity to rush the passer. That was one of our goals of the season, to get to the quarterback more.”
Tech held a 15-10 halftime lead. In the third quarter neither team was able to put points on the scoreboard as both defenses held strong. The Bulldogs unit held Nicholls State to just 53 total yards on its first six offensive possessions of the second half.
The dominance allowed the Bulldogs to add a 24-yard Buck Buchanan field goal and a 6-yard Jimmy Holiday touchdown run in the fourth quarter to push the advantage to 25-10.
“Overall, I am proud of the resiliency we had on offense,” said Holiday. “We fought through some adversity and some hiccups, but we kept going and did not drop our heads. We kept to our motto to improve and compete.”
Nicholls offense finally found the endzone on a 27-yard TD pass from McQuaide to Quincy Brown with 2:17 to play in the game, cutting the deficit to 25-17.
The Colonels got one final opportunity to tie the game, but on fourth down and 10 from inside its own 20-yard line, McQuaide was sacked by Burnett and Zach Zimos to end the game.
“I am excited our football team is 1-0,” said Cumbie. “It was a great effort from a defensive standpoint.”
Tech returns to action Sept. 14 at North Carolina State.
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Ruston High product K’Travion Hargrove led Grambling State with 61 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries during Saturday’s loss at Louisiana-Lafayette. (Photo courtesy of GSU Football)
By T. Scott Boatright
It was a tale of two halves for Grambling State Saturday night in the Tigers’ season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette at Cajun Field.
After finding themselves in a deep hole by halftime, the Tigers fared better in the second half before falling 40-10.
A 30-0 halftime deficit was simply too much for GSU to overcome even though the Tigers played the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 10-10 in the second half.
ULL scored on its first offensive possession, marching 82 yards to paydirt on eight plays that culminated with Dry’Lyn Washington’s eight-yard dash to the end zone 5:56 into the opening stanza.
The Ragin’ Cajuns took over in the second quarter, with quarterback Ben Woolridge firing two scoring strikes, a 13-yarder to Harvey Broussard and a 56-yarder to Tavion Smith.
Louisiana-Lafayette added a defensive score for its second touchdown of the second quarter as Caleb Kibodi picked off a pass thrown by GSU quarterback Myles Crawley and returned it 50 yards to paydirt.
ULL’s final score of the first half came on a 41-yard field by Kenneth Almendares that pushed the Cajuns to a 30-0 halftime advantage.
The Ragin’ Cajuns pushed their lead to 37-0 midway through the third quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Woolridge to Terrance Carter.
Grambling’s lone touchdown came with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter as K’Travion “Bull” Hargrove powered his way to paydirt from one yard out.
Hargrove, a Ruston High School product, may have been the brightest spot of the day for the G-Men, rushing for 61 yards on 12 attempts.
The teams traded fourth-quarter field goals to cap off scoring, with ULL’s Tony Sterner making a 27-yarder before Grambling’s Reed Harradine blasted a 50-yarder through the uprights.
Crawley finished with 19 completions on 28 pass attempts for 166 yards.
Receiver Nicholas Howard was another offensive bright spot for the G-Men, leading Grambling with five catches for 68 yards.
Blake Davis was the defensive standout for the Tigers, leading GSU with eight tackles while adding an interception.
The Cajuns dominated in overall offense, totaling 481 yards total while Grambling only managed 241.
Heading into the game, GSU coach Mickey Joseph had one key of cutting down on penalties.
And Joseph saw his team get better in that category. After giving up 82 yards per game last season, against the Ragin’ Cajuns the Tigers were only penalized for 25 yards on six calls.
Next up for the Tigers will be the home opener as they play host to Tuskegee at 7 p.m. Saturday at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.
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Louisiana Tech used a 26-11 run between the second and third set to sweep Cal State Fullerton on the final day of the Fullerton Invitational at Titan Gym Saturday morning.
A day after taking the last three sets to pick up their first win of the season, Louisiana Tech (2-1) picked up right where they left off to sweep Cal State Fullerton (0-2), 25-18, 26-24, and 25-17.
Tech fell to San Jose State in straight sets on Friday before defeating the Titans.
“I’m so proud of the total team effort we saw from our crew from those on the floor to the sideline,” said head coach Amber McCray. “We showed composure and resiliency to come back in that second set and that should provide a boost of confidence for us moving forward. Our setters did an excellent job of finding our middles today, and both Charlie and Rori delivered by hitting above .400 for the match.
“McKenzie was phenomenal all weekend anchoring our passing and defense, and we continue to rely heavily on her on-court leadership and experience. Each day we are continuing to gel a little more, and I’m beyond excited to keep growing with this team.”
The Bulldogs opened the day by scoring five of the first seven points. After a kill by Giulia Bonifacio, the lead grew to 13-8. The Titans tied the set at 13 with five straight points, assisted by a couple of Tech errors.
With LA Tech clinging to a one-point lead, Bonifacio and Charlize Williams would power the Bulldogs with two kills and three blocks in an 8-2 run to close out the first set.
At the beginning of the second set, Fullerton flipped the script and quickly raced out to a 12-5 lead. Tech gradually fought back and pulled within four at 21-17.
Fullerton sent a ball high, but it was originally called a tip, and it looked like the Titans would be on their way to the set win with a 22-17 lead. Coach McCray and the Bulldogs knew no one touched the ball and quickly challenged the call. After the review, the officials overturned the call, and Tech pulled the score to 21-18.
That would flip momentum, and the Bulldogs took advantage by tying the score at 22 before closing out the set with four of the final five points to take it 26-24.
The energy carried over, and Tech pushed its run to 26-11 and took control of the final set at 11-4. The teams traded small runs, but the Bulldogs closed it out with a 5-1 run.
Bonifacio led the way for the third straight match with 11 kills. Freshman Rori Gray added nine kills on a .444 hitting clip, while Williams hit .500 with seven kills and six blocks. McKenzie Johnson had 20 digs for the Bulldogs.
Ameena Campbell and Lyla Traylor led Fullerton with eight kills.
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The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wrapped up the weekend with a shutout victory over Arkansas State. A second half goal from Dakota Merino helped the Tech defeat the Red Wolves 1-0 on a Sunday afternoon at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
“Extremely gutsy and gritty performance today against an outstanding Arkansas State, previously unbeaten and unscored on,” said head coach Steve Voltz. “Considering that we had three starters out before the game (started) and lost more players during the game. We made plays when we had to and did a good job in possession of the ball today. It was an incredible team performance even, with the amount of freshmen we had playing.”
In the first half, Tech (2-1-3) came out attacking after putting nine shots up and three corners compared to Arkansas State’s three shots and two corners. Defender Kalli Matlock fired off four shots against Arkansas State (2-1-1).
In the first 15 minutes of the contest, Madita Ehrig, Madison Pensom, and Maeva Costenaro took shots but could not force them into the net. Forward Charlie Cooper and Merino collected shots but could not capitalize on their opportunities.
Later in the second half, Tech would not slow down the attack after Merino netted a long goal free-kick in the 51st minute, putting the Bulldogs up 1-0.
“She has a foot on her,” said Voltz. “She is comfortably growing into playing center back. I am more impressed with her defensive performance but happy she scored a goal as well.”
Merino has now scored two goals via free kick for Louisiana Tech this season while having a career-high seven shots taken. Tech totaled eight more shots in the second half, in which the Bulldogs outshot Arkansas State 17-8.
The Bulldogs will wrap up this five-game homestand with a contest against SEC foe Mississippi State. The contest will be Thursday at 6 p.m. in Robert Mack Caruthers Field and will be televised on ESPN+.
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Tech’s Jessie Evans said good night to the Colonels after a fourth quarter sack sealed the Bulldogs win. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
By Malcolm Butler
Defending Southland Conference champion Nicholls State ran into a nightmare on Saturday night.
The Louisiana Tech defense.
A much-maligned unit a year ago, the Bulldogs D put a sleeper hold on the Colonels prolific run-heavy offensive unit which helped lead Nicholls State to a postseason appearance in 2023.
And ultimately it led Tech to a 25-17 win at Joe Aillet Stadium.
“I didn’t think we were very good offensively or on special teams tonight,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “But our defense bailed us out. And that’s what we told the guys in the locker room. Good teams pick each other up and our defense picked us up tonight.”
It was a Fields day so-to-speak.
Kolbe Fields that is.
The transfer linebacker who had to sit out all of last year made his Bulldog debut in style, recording 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. And he made an immediate impact.
On the first Nicholls State offensive play from scrimmage in the game, Fields teamed up with David Blay to tackle Colonels all-everything tailback Jaylon Spears in the end zone for an early safety.
It was just the start of a stellar night for Fields and the Tech defense.
“I woke up at five this morning, and I prayed and cried,” said Fields, who transferred from LSU. “I also thought about my people, and it wasn’t me out there, it was God.”
At the end of the night, it was the Nicholls State offense that was shedding some tears.
The Colonels managed just seven points and 200 total yards from its offense in the game, that TD coming late in the fourth quarter. Nicholls State was just 3-of-16 on third down conversions, only 1 of its last 14.
“It’s always a blessing to win, and you cannot take it for granted,” said Fields. “We have to do what we do week in and week out. We need to just improve and compete and keep going.”
After Tech took the early 2-0 lead on the safety, a pick-six by Nicholls defense lineman Rasheed Lovelace on an attempted screen pass by Jack Turner gave the Colonels their only lead of the game at 7-2.
Turner responded in style, hitting Solo Lewis for a 28-yard TD pass just over one minute later to give the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead. On Tech’s next offensive possession, Turner left with an apparent knee injury and did not return.
Red-shirt freshman Blake Baker replaced Turner and completed 12-of-24 passes for 207 yards and one TD while throwing two interceptions. Baker hit Marlion Jackson with a 14-yard TD pass during a monsoon midway through the second quarter to up Tech lead to 15-7.
“I thought Blake played well,” said Cumbie. “Obviously, ball protection was an issue for us tonight (with five turnovers). However, he made some plays and showed some composure.
“The effort was there from an offensive standpoint. But it was arguably one of the sloppiest games I have been apart of from an offensive and special teams standpoint.”
While the Bulldogs offense and special teams units were inconsistent, the Bulldog defense was not. Tech held Nicholls State to just 200 yards of offense while recording six sacks of Colonels starting QB Pat McQuaide.
“It is a good start and we need to continue to have numbers like that,” said Cumbie of the sacks. “J’Dan Burnett and Jessie Evans are good pass rushers. These guys can rush the passers. We are letting them play fast and they have an opportunity to rush the passer. That was one of our goals of the season, to get to the quarterback more.”
Tech held a 15-10 halftime lead. In the third quarter neither team was able to put points on the scoreboard as both defenses held strong. The Bulldogs unit held Nicholls State to just 53 total yards on its first six offensive possessions of the second half.
The dominance allowed the Bulldogs to add a 24-yard Buck Buchanan field goal and a 6-yard Jimmy Holiday touchdown run in the fourth quarter to push the advantage to 25-10.
“Overall, I am proud of the resiliency we had on offense,” said Holiday. “We fought through some adversity and some hiccups, but we kept going and did not drop our heads. We kept to our motto to improve and compete.”
Nicholls offense finally found the endzone on a 27-yard TD pass from McQuaide to Quincy Brown with 2:17 to play in the game, cutting the deficit to 25-17.
The Colonels got one final opportunity to tie the game, but on fourth down and 10 from inside its own 20-yard line, McQuaide was sacked by Burnett and Zach Zimos to end the game.
“I am excited our football team is 1-0,” said Cumbie. “It was a great effort from a defensive standpoint.”
Tech returns to action Sept. 14 at North Carolina State.
